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Washougal MX: A blast from the past

Washougal's MX National will celebrate its 30th anniversary this weekend

By Paul Valencia, Columbian High School Sports Reporter
Published: July 21, 2010, 12:00am
2 Photos
Riders compete in the 1985 National MX meet at Washougal.
Riders compete in the 1985 National MX meet at Washougal. This weekend's event will mark the 30th year at the Clark County track. Photo Gallery

Washougal Motocross is going retro.

When the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship returns to Washougal this week, racing fans will be encouraged to go back in time to celebrate.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the first Washougal MX National. Some of today’s professionals are expected to ride on bikes with 1980s color schemes and styles in the 450 and 250 series, and former champions and Northwest legends will ride in a vintage race between the two motos Saturday.

Fans can get in on the fun, too, with prizes to be awarded for the best retro-style costumes.

Brian Barnes, the track’s spokesman, has worked at Washougal since 1980. He remembers the first National, and he is proud of the fact that Washougal has become a popular venue for riders and fans from all the world. The event annually attracts more than 20,000 spectators on race day.

Washougal MX National

What: The eighth round in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

Races: Two motos each in the 450 and 250 classes to determine overall winner in each class.

When: Practice and qaulifying begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. The first moto is 1 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Washougal MX Park, 40912 NE Borin Road, Washougal.

How to get there: Highway 14 to Washougal, turn left on 15th Street (which will turn into Washougal River Road), go 8 1/2 miles, turn left on 412th/Alder Road, then left on Borin Road to the track.

Tickets: Available at the track or online at www.washougalmxpk.com. Wednesday-Saturday tickets are $55. (Children 6 and under get in free.) Saturday-only tickets are $35.

On TV: 4 p.m. Saturday, Speed Channel (Comcast digital channel 408)

“Honestly, I think it’s just a gift from God,” Barnes said, referring to the National at its 30th anniversary in Washougal.

This year’s National will feature Ryan Dungey, who is dominating the 450 Class in his first year on the bigger machine. Dungey, who has won the past two years at Washougal in the 250 Class, has won six of the seven competitions on the 450 this season.

Washougal MX National

What: The eighth round in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

Races: Two motos each in the 450 and 250 classes to determine overall winner in each class.

When: Practice and qaulifying begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. The first moto is 1 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Washougal MX Park, 40912 NE Borin Road, Washougal.

How to get there: Highway 14 to Washougal, turn left on 15th Street (which will turn into Washougal River Road), go 8 1/2 miles, turn left on 412th/Alder Road, then left on Borin Road to the track.

Tickets: Available at the track or online at www.washougalmxpk.com. Wednesday-Saturday tickets are $55. (Children 6 and under get in free.) Saturday-only tickets are $35.

On TV: 4 p.m. Saturday, Speed Channel (Comcast digital channel 408)

Chad Reed, the defending series champion, won the first 450 of the 2010 season — at Hangtown in Sacramento, Calif. — but it’s been all Dungey since then.

Washougal is the eighth stop in the 12-round series, and Dungey has an 89-point lead over Andrew Short in the standings. Dungey, who rides a Suzuki, has won 10 of the 14 motos. No other rider has won more than one moto this season.

(An event is comprised of two races — called motos — with the overall winner being the rider who has earned the most points through his finishes in each moto.)

The 250 class is much more competitive, with five different winners in the first events. Christophe Pourcel leads the points race, but Trey Canard has won the past two Nationals — at RedBud in Buchanan, Mich, and Spring Creek in Millville, Minn.

Pourcel, who rides a Kawasaki, has won two overalls and has a season-high eight moto wins for a total of 296 points. Dean Wilson is in second place with 264 points. Canard, with his back-to-back wins, has moved into third place at 252.

Longtime spectators will notice a new starting gate at Washougal MX Park, allowing riders a longer straightaway before a sharp left turn to make it to the hole shot. In the past, it was a shorter straightaway, and then an abrupt turn, almost a U-turn, that caused a bottleneck.

Also back this year is a return to Amateur Days prior to the National.

For years, thousands of amateur riders would gather at Washougal to camp and compete for a few days leading up to the big race. Last year, the series switched from Sunday to Saturday races, and the track moved the amateurs to Sunday.

Now, track organizers, after listening to concerns from the amateurs, decided to return the amateurs to before the National. The amateur racing will be Thursday and Friday.

On Friday afternoon, more than 80 machines from 1971 to 1981, — the “bikes of yesteryear,” according to Barnes — will be on dispay at Washougal’s infield for Fan Fest.

Fans also can get autographs from former champions. Rick Burgett, Chuck Sun, and Eric Eaton are among those scheduled to attend.

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Columbian High School Sports Reporter